EP0069087A1

EP0069087A1 - Method and apparatus for loading a creel and linking more than one fibre processing machines

Info

Publication number: EP0069087A1
Application number: EP82830168A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaromir Cizek
Original assignee: Officine Savio SpA; Savio SpA
Current assignee: Officine Savio SpA; Savio SpA
Priority date: 1981-06-19
Filing date: 1982-06-14
Publication date: 1983-01-05
Also published as: EP0069087B1; IT1158120B; IT8283410A0; DE3268515D1

Abstract

A method of loading a creel (7) with sliver reservoirs (9) and automatically linking one or more fibre processing machine comprising at least the steps of providing a reservoir loading station (10) remote from the creel (7), moving a loaded sliver reservoir (9) along a pathway (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31-40, 43, 44) towards and away from the creel (7) capturing the free end (61) of the sliver of the loaded reservoir (9), and feeling said free end (61) of the sliver to the creel required, and an apparatus suitable for use in said method including a loading station (10) in the nature of a fibre processing machine adapted to load a sliver reservoir (9) with a length of sliver, a pathway (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31-40, 43, 44) leading from said station (10) to a creel (7), means (22, 28, 30-41) for moving a loaded reservoir (9) to and from the loading station (10) to the creel (7) and means (62-63-90) for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver for the purpose of feeding it to the creel (7).

Description

This invention relates to linking creels.
The term creel herein means an assembly adapted to feed . one or more slivers or the like of fibre to a processing machine such as gillbox, drawframe etc.
Conventional ball and can creels require that a spent sliver ball or sliver containing can be replaced manually.
Piecing up of slivers after a breakage or can replacement is also done manually requiring the sliver processing machine to be stopped for intervals.
With modern high-speed gilling and drawing machines, any stoppage causes a considerable loss in production and efficiency.
Various attempts have been made to mechanise and automate sliver creels.
For example, British patents Nos. 942.278, 910.761, 1.057.101 and 1.003.808 all disclose circular type creels which strive towards continuous sliver input into a processing machine.
It is believed that the arrangements proposed in these patents are unstable in the sense that should their can change cycles become disturbed, for example by a variation . or the ideal can load, creel operation would be interrupted.
A successful semi-automatic creel is disclosed in a co-pending South African patent application No. 80/4520 (EP 81303375.0).
This patent application discloses a creel which comprises a plurality of feed stations for feeding a sliver of fibres to a sliver processing machine and a reserve feed station . for feeding a reserve sliver to the machine upon disruption of sliver feed at any feed station, the arrangement being . one wherein the reserve feed station in effect replaces the station where feed is disrupted.
The station where feed is interrupted, is subsequently . moved to a position wherein it assumes the function of a reserve station.
With the arrangement described above, the free end of sliver is manually fed to a reserve station, but it will be appreciated that stoppage of the processing machine is not required.
It is now an object of the present invention to provide. a novel creel and feeding method whereby manual intervention will be minimized.
According to the invention, a method of loading a creel with sliver reservoirs comprises the steps of providing a reservoir loading station remote from the creel and a pathway between the station and the creel; moving a loaded sliver reservoir along the pathway towards the creel; capturing the free end of the sliver of the loaded reservoir; and feeding the free end of the sliver to the creel when required.
The sliver reservoir could be in the nature of a spool, . spindle, bobbin or the like onto which the sliver is wound,. but for most applications the reservoir will be in the nature of a bin adapted to contain the sliver.
The method of the invention will in particular be suitable for use with the co-pending South African patent application No. 80/4520 (EP 81303375.0).
With such a creel the captured free end of the sliver together with the reservoir will move when required, into the position of a reserve station.
Thus, the free end of the sliver will be fed to a carriage which forms part of such reserve station.
Further according to the invention, the pathway between. the loading station and the creel is in the nature of a portion of an endless path, and the method includes a step. of returning emptied reservoirs to the loading station along portion of such endless path.
Also according to the invention, where a partially emptied reservoir is returned from the creel, for example, where the sliver breaks, it is re-directed to the leading portion of the pathway via a suitable by-pass which links the leading and return portions of the pathway.
Thus, in one example, the method will include the step . of sensing the load state of a reservoir returning from the creel and directing it towards the leading portion of the pathway or towards the loading station when it is partially empty or empty respectively.
Still further according to the invention, the method includes the step of determining the position of the free . end of the sliver prior to capturing such free end.
In one arrangement, the free end of the sliver will be captured by means of suitable sensors and a capturing mechanism which is responsive to signals from the sensors.
Preferably, where the reservoir is in the nature of a bin, the free end of the sliver will overhang from the toprim of the bin and the sensors which may be in the form. of photo-electric cells will move the capturing device into position to clamp the free end of the sliver.
In one arrangement it is envisaged that the bin or the . sensors and capturing device will be rotated so as to effect relative angular movement between the latter and the sliver in order to determine the circumferential position of the . sliver on the rim of the bin.
One such position is determined, relative vertical movement between the sliver and capturing device will be effected in order to locate the free end of the sliver.
In an alternative arrangement the free end of the sliver itself may be moved or drawn into a position for clamping . by a capturing mechanism, for example, by means of an air-. stream.
Thus, the sliver could be drawn into a funnel or the like by means of suction and thereafter clamped.
Also included within the scope of the invention, is apparatus suitable for use in the method disclosed herein, . comprising a loading station adapted to load a sliver . reservoir with a length of sliver, a pathway leading from . the station to a creel, means for transporting a loaded reservoir from the loading station to the creel, and means . for capturing the free end of the sliver for purposes of feeding it to the creel.
In many applications, the loading station will be in the nature of a fibre processing machine with the output from the machine being loaded into reservoirs such as bins or the like, or wound onto bobbins, spools etc.
Further according to the invention, the pathway is in the nature of an endless path comprising a leading portion which leads from the loading station to the creel, a return. portion which extends from the creel to the loading station, and a by-pass section limiting the leading portion and the return portion whereby partially emptied reservoirs may be returned to the leading portion of the pathway while empty reservoirs are fed to the loading station.
With the above arrangement, a suitable sensor such as a photo-electric cell which is adapted to respond to reflection of the inner-base surface of the reservoir, a weighing device, mechanical sensor or the like will be provided at the terminus of the pay-pass and return portion of the pathway for purposes of sensing the load condition of the reservoir.
With this arrangement it is further envisaged that a suitable pusher or puller device will be provided at the terminus for directing a reservoir along the required pathway, being either the by-pass or the pathway leading to the loading station.
Such a device could be in the nature of a fluid operable cylinder, a chain device and arm device, a belt conveyor, . an angled platform together with a suitable gate, etc.
The means for moving a loaded reservoir from the loading station to the creel could likewise take various forms but. would preferably be in the nature of a retractable arm which is movable along a rail member.
Also according to the invention the means for capturing. the free end of the sliver comprises a capturing assembly which includes a sensor and a clamp which is responsive to signals from the sensors.
In a preferred arrangement, where the reservoir is in the nature of a bin, the free end of the sliver will be caused to overhang the rim of the bin and the capturing assembly and the bin will be relatively angularly movable . in order to align the sliver end with the clamp. Preferably, the clamping assembly and the bin will also be . relatively vertically movable in order to align the extremity of the sliver with the clamp.
Thus, in one arrangement a rotating platform for the bin will be provided, the platform being adapted to rotate the bin until the sliver aligns with the clamp.
Thereafter, the clamp or bin may move vertically in order to align with the extremity of the clamp.
Alternatively where the clamp is in the nature of a pair of rollers defining an operable nip, vertical movement of . the bin and clamps need not be effected, but the sliver could simply be clamped and the rollers rotated in a reverse-feed direction until the extremity of the sliver is in close proximity to such rollers.
It is envisaged that the sensors may conveniently be photo-electric cells, while the clamp could be in the form. of a closeable jaw, or a pair of rollers which are closeable to define a nip between them.
Doubtless many other variations are possible.
For example in an alternative arrangement, the means for capturing the free end of the sliver could comprise a . clamp and means for drawing or directing the sliver itself. into position for clamping.
The latter means could comprise a funnel or the like adapted to draw the sliver end thereinto by means of suction.
Preferably, such means and the sliver reservoir will be relatively movable for purposes of hunting the sliver end.
In order more clearly to illustrate the invention, some embodiments thereof are described hereunder purely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a creel indicating the movement of sliver reservoirs;
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan of a different arrangement to that shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic plan of portion of the pathway in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic elevation of the arrangement in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a schematic plan of a sensor which is adapted to locate the circumferenLial disposition of a sliver;
Fig. 7, 7a are a schematic plan and elevation respectively of a clamp adapted to capture the free end of a sliver;
Fig. 8, 8a are a schematic plan and elevation respectively of a different arrangement to that shown in Fig. 7;
Figs. 9 and 10 are schematic plan views of two alternative arrangement for feeding sliver at the reserve feed station;
Fig.11 is a schematic plan view of another arrangement;
Fig.12 is a detail of the capturing means of the arrangemen of Fig. 11.

In Figures 1 and 2 a method of substantially automatically transporting sliver reservoirs from a first sliver processing machine 10 to a second processing machine 12 is illustrated.
The processing machine 10 is provided with a sliver input from a creel shown schematically at 8 which includes a plurality of sliver reservoirs 11.
The output from machine 10 is in turn loaded into empty bin-like reservoirs 9 which are transported to a second creel 7 which feeds the machine 12 and which is preferably . in accordance with the creel disclosed in the co-pending South African patent application No. 80/4520 (EPA 81303375.0).
Thus, the creel 7 includes a pair of reserve feed stations 13 and a plurality of active feed stations 14.
Empty containers are transported from the creel 7 to the. machine 10 for reloading, while partially emptied containers are transported to a position wherein they are again fed to the creel 7.
Different methods of can movement are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
In Fig. 1 a loaded sliver can is transported from the machine 10 by means of a belt conveyor 20 onto one end of . a slider track 21.
Once on the slide track 21 the loaded bin is moved to the centre of the track by means of a shifting device 22..
At the other end of the sliding track 21 partially full. sliver bins are introduced and likewise moved towards the . centre of the track 21.
At the centre of the track 21, a branch track 31 is . provided which leads to the creel 7, and loaded containers. are moved along the branch track 31 as required by means of a ram 28.
Movement of the sliver bin along the track 31 is effected by means of a shifting device 15.
Emptied bins ejected by the creel 7 will be moved by . means of a continuously moving belt conveyor 23 onto a . continuously moving belt conveyor 24 which deposits the bins of a sliding track 26 which in turn leads to the processing machine 10.
A shifting device 30 is adopted to control bin traffic along the sliding track 26 as illustrated.
A ram device 29 is provided for moving the empty bins . into position for loading.
Partially emptied bins which are rejected by the creel . 7, for example, when the sliver breaks, are also moved onto the belt conveyor 24 but are re-introduced onto the sliding track 21 by means of a ram 25 with a shifting device 27 moving such partially emptied bins towards the centre of the track 21.
A less complicated arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein loaded sliver bins are moved along a sliding trans 40 by means of a shifting device 41 towards the creel 7.
A second shifting device 42 is adapted to move the bins into the creel 7.
Bins ejected by the creel 7 move from a continuously moving conveyor 43 to a sliding track 44, with empty bins being directed to the processing machine 10 for re-loading. by means of a shifting device 45, while partially empty bins are shifted along a by-pass 47 to the sliding track 40 by means of a ram 46.
It is envisaged that at the by-pass 47, (Fig. 2),and at the rams 25, (Fig. 1), a sensor will be provided to determine the load state of bin.
Such sensor could comprise a photo-electric cell which is responsive to a reflective inner base surface of the bin, a weighing device, a mechanical feeler, or the like.
It will be appreciated that the rams such as that shown. at 28, and the shifting devices such as that shown at 22 could take on many forms and the invention is by no means . restricted to the arrangement illustrated.
For example, the shifting device 22 could be in the nature of a moving chain provided with laterally projecting arms of hooks, or even a long-stroke air cylinder.
In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the shifting device 22 comprises a fixed rail 22a and a retractable arm 22b which is movable along the rail 22a.
With reference to Fig. 5, it is envisaged that the retractable arm 22b would be pivotably mounted for movement between an operative position wherein it is substantially . horizontally disposed and a retracted position, shown in broken lines, (Fig. 5), wherein it is substantially vertically disposed.
It is envisaged that a sensor such as a photo-electric cell 22c will be associated with the retractable arm 22b and- that additional sensors 50 which may again be in the form of photo-electric cells will be provided to transmit signals to a micro-processor which will in turn regulate movement of the shifting device 22.
The sliding track 21 could also take on various forms but will preferably include side walls 21a for guiding purposes.-When a loaded bin is introduced into the creel 7 in one of its reserve fed stations 13, it will be necessary to feed the free end of the sliver 61 to a carriage 80, Figs. 9 and 10, which forms part of such reserve feed station 13.
For details of the carriage 80 and the creel 7 the addressee is referred to the specification of the. cited co-pending South African patent application No. 80/4520.
A feature of the invention provides for the free end of the sliver 61 to be captured as the bin enters the creel 7 . or prior to such entry and for the free end of the sliver 61 to be fed to the carriage 80.
Means for capturing the free end of the sliver 61 is shown schematically in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 and includes a pair of spaced sensors 60, such as photo-electric cells, which are associated with a clamping jaw 62 or 63, and which are adapted to align the free end of the sliver 61 with such clamping jaw.
In use, either the bin 9 or the sensors 60 and their associated jaw will be rotated until the free end of the sliver 61 is disposed between the sensor 60, Fig. 6, and in . alignment with the jaw 62 or 63.
In one example, a rotary platform could be provided for the bins.
Once in such an aligned position, either the bin 9 or the jaw 62 will be moved vertically relative to the other in .order to locate the extremity of tne free end of the sliver .61, and for this purpose a further sensor 64 which may again .be in the nature of a photo-electric cell, is provided. Once -such extremity is located, the jaw 62 will close in . order to capture the free end of the sliver.
The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to that . .in Fig. 7 but the clamping jaw 63 in Fig. 8 comprises a pair of rollers which define a nip between them when in a closed position, while the jaw 62 in Fig. 7 is in the nature of a clamp.
With the arrangement of Fig. 8, rather than cause relative vertical movement between the bin 9 and jaw 62 in order to locate the extremity of the sliver 61, the sliver 61 could simply be clamped between the rollers 63 and these rotated in a reverse-feed direction until the extremity of the sliver is in close proximity to the rollers.
An alternative method of capturing the free end of the sliver (not shown) may comprise the steps of moving the bin 9 into a position below a funnel or the like and drawing the free end of the sliver into the funnel by means of suction, and thereafter clamping such free end by means of jaws similar to those shown at 62 and 63.
If necessary relative movement in a horizontal plane between the bin 9 and funnel may be caused for purposes of hunting the free end of the sliver.
It is envisaged that it will also be necessary to move the funnel progressively into the interior of the bin 9 during the hunting process, particularly where the bin 9 is only partially loaded, and for this purpose progressive relative vertical movement between the bin and funnel will be caused.
Once the free end of the sliver 61 has been captured, and the bin is moved into a reserve station 13 on the creel 7, the jaw 62 moves the free end of the sliver into the nip or . feed rollers 81 of the carriage 80, Fig. 9.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 9, the jaw 62 will move - the free end into the nip of the rollers 81 and an auxiliary- roller 82 will drive the rollers 81 through frictional contact while a sensor 83 wil act to halt the drive one the free end- of the sliver has passed through the nip.
It is envisaged that the jaw 62 will be such that the sliver 61 could be freely drawn therethrough in a forward direction. but not in a reverse direction.
Thus, where the clamping jaw 62 is in the nature of a . clamp, it will preferably have a semi-positive grip, while rollers as shown at 63, will be provided with uni-directional clutches.
A different arrangement for locating the free end of the . sliver 61 in the nip of feed rollers 81 is shown in Fig. 10..
In this arrangement, the jaw which is shown at 85 is capable of separating into segments to stretch the captured . end of the sliver 61 and the feed rollers 81 are separated by means of a suitable ram device 84.
The stretched portion of the sliver 61 is then located between the spaced rollers 81 which are thereafter closed to reform their nip.
Fig. 11 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, similar to that shown in Fig. 2, in which sliver capturing means 90 is mounted on a carriage 50 running on an overhead rail means 51 extending between the outlet of the processing machine 10 and the reserve stations 13 and parallel to the sliding track 40.
According to this embodiment the sliver capturing means 90 illustrated in Fig. 12 consists of a pair of automatically operated grippers 190 arranged at the end of an arm 290 rotatably mounted on said carriage 50.
More specifically the grippers 190 rotate about the axis .of arm 290 while said arm is rotatable in a vertical or .substantially vertical plan about carriage 50 as shown in .Fig. 12.
According to this embodiment, when the sliver bin 9, being .loaded by machine 10, is full, the carriage 50 is brought .to the vicinity of outlet with the arm 290 extended in the .direction of said machine 10 whereby the sliver extending .from said machine to the bin is brought into the grippers 190 to be clamped by suitable sliver deviator means which may be in the nature of air suction means 390 mounted adjacent .said grippers as shown.
The arm 290 is then rotated to extend in the opposite direction and carriage 50 is moved along track 40 together with the loaded bin 9 which bin is then brought to a avacant . reserve station 13.
The grippers 190 are then automatically released when the . bin 9 is positioned in said reserve station 13 handing the sliver over to the feed means of the creel 7.
The sliver deviator means 390 may be replaced by any suitable mechanical means such as a lever or a hook mounted . on carriage 50, arm 290 or separately mounted in the vicinity. of the outlet of the processing machine 10.
Furthermore carriage 50 may also either be mounted on the bin shifting device 42 or may itself act as a bin shifting device by including a shifting arm 41.
Doubtless many other variations are possible and it is . envisaged that these all fall.within the scope of the con- . sistory clauses.
For example, the embodiments illustrated in the drawings show sliver reservoirs 9 in the form of bins, but the invention is clearly also applicable to cases where the sliver reservoirs are in the form of balls of slivers wound onto spindles., bobbins or the like.
It is intended that the invention will include separately- within its scope the method of loading a creel with sliver reservoirs and the methods of capturing the free end of a sliver as disclosed herein.
Further included within the scope of the invention are apparatus adapted for use in the above methods.

Claims

1 - A method of loading a creel (7) with sliver reservoirs (9) and automatically linking one or more fibre processing . machines,characterized by comprising the steps of providing. a reservoir loading station (10) remote from the creel (7),. moving a loaded sliver reservoir (9) along a pathway (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31 - 40, 43, 44) towards the creel (7) capturing the free end (61) of the sliver of the loaded reservoir (9), and feeding said free end (61) of the sliver. to the creel required.

2 - A method as in claim 1 characterized by the fact that the pathway (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31 - 40) between the loading station (10) is in the nature of a portion of an endless path.

3 - A method as in claim 1 or 2 characterized by the fact of including the step of returning empty reservoirs (9) to the loading station (10) along a portion (23, 24, 26 - . 43, 44) of such endless path.

4 - A method as in claim 2 or 3 characterized by the fact a partially emptied reservoir (9) returned from the creel (7), is directed to the loading portion of the pathway (21, 31 - 40) via a suitable by-pass (21 - 47) which links the leading (20, 31 - 40) and the return (23, 24, 26, - 43, 44). portions of the pathway.

5 - A method as in claim 4 characterized by including the step of sensing the load state of a reservoir (9) returning from the creel (7) and directing it towards the leading portion (20, 21, 31 - 40) of the pathway or towards the loading station (10) according to whether said reservoir (9) is partially empty or empty respectively. 6 - A method as in claim 1 or any one of the subsequent claims characterized by including the step of determining the position of the free end (61) of the sliver prior to capturing said free end.

7 - A method as in claim 6 caracterized by the fact the free end (61 ) of the sliver is captured by capturing mechanism (62 - 63 - 90).

8 - A method as in claim 7 characterized by the fact that the free end (61) of the sliver is captured by means of suitable sensors (60 - 64) cooperating with said capturing mechanism (62 - 63 - 90) which is responsive to signals from said sensors.

9 - A method as in claim 7 or 8 characterized by the fact that said capturing mechanism (90) is displaceable together with the sliver container (9).

10- A method as in claim 7, 8 or 9 characterized by the fact of moving or drawing the free end (61) of the sliver . into a position for clamping by capturing mechanism (62 - 63 - 90). -

11- A method as in claim 7, 8 or 9 characterized by the fact that the loading station (10) is in the nature of a fibre processing machine whose output is loaded into . reservoir (9).

12- An apparatus suitable for use in the method disclosed . in claim 1 or any one of the subsequent claims characterized by including a loading station (10) adapted to load a . sliver reservoir (9) with a length of sliver, a pathway (20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 31 - 40, 43, 44) leading from said station (10) to a creel (7), means (22, 28, 30 - 41) for moving a loaded reservoir (9) from the loading station (10). to the creel (7) and means (62 - 63 - 90) for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver for the purpose of feeding . it to the creel (7).

13- An apparatus as in claim 12 characterized by the fact that said loading station (10) is in the nature of a fibre processing machine whose output is loaded into reservoir (9).

14- An apparatus as in claim 12 or 13 characterized by the fact that said pathway is in the nature of an endless path comprising a leading portion (20, 21, 31 - 40) which leads- from the loading station (10) to the creel (7), a return portion (23, 24, 26 - 43, 44) which extends from the creel (7) to the loading station (10), and a by-pass (21 - 47) section linking the leading portion (20, 21, 31 - 40) and the return portion (23, 24, 26 - 43, 44) whereby partially. empty reservoirs may be returned to the leading portion (20, 21, 31 - 40) of the pathway while empty reservoirs are fed to the loading station (10).

15- An apparatus as in claim 14 characterized by the fact a suitable sensor mean is provided at the terminus of said by-pass and (21 - 47) return (23, 24, 26 - 44) portion of . the pathway for sensing the load condition of the reservoir (9).

16- An apparatus as in claim 15 characterized by including. a suitable pusher or puller means (25 - 46) provided at . said terminus for directing a reservoir (9) along the required path, being either the by-pass (21 - 47) or the pathway (24, 26 - 44) leading to the loading station (10).. 17- An apparatus as in claim 12 or any of the subsequent claims characterized by the fact that said means (22, 28, 30 - 41) for moving the reservoirs (9) from the loading station (10) to the creel (7) is preferably a retractable . arm movable along a rail member. 18- An apparatus as in claim 12 or any of the subsequent claims characterized by the fact that said means (62 - 63 -.

90) for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver comprises. a capturing assembly which may includes a sensor (60 - 64). and a clamp (62 - 63) which clamp is responsive to signals from said sensor (60 - 64).

19- An apparatus as in claim 18 characterized by the,fact that the clamp is in the nature of a closeable jaw (62). 20- An apparatus as in claim 18 characterized by the fact . that the clamp is in the nature of a pair of closable driven rollers (63) defining an operable nip for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver.

21- An apparatus as in any one of the claims 12 to 17 . inclusive characterized by the fact said means (190) for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver consists of a clamp and means (390) for drawing or deviating the sliver . into position for clamping comprising a funnel or the like . adapted to draw the sliver end thereinto by means of suction, said clamp and funnel being rotatingly mounted at the end . of a rotating arm (290) rotatingly sustained by a carriage . (50) travelling along the track (40) which leads to the creel (7).

22- Apparatus as in claim 21 characterized by the fact that the carriage (50) carries the means (41) for shifting the sliver reservoirs.

23- An apparatus as in any of the claims 12 to 22 characterized by the fact that the sliver reservoir (9) and the means (62 - 63 - 90) for capturing the free end (61) of the sliver are relatively movable.